January has a way of piling on the shoulds… I should feel more motivated, I should be ready to go, I should have it all figured out by now. Ummm who says you “should”?? In CBT, those shoulds are a signal to pause and check the evidence. There’s no rule that says growth has to happen on a specific timeline just because the calendar flips. If you want to ease into February instead of charging in, that’s not avoidance or lack of discipline - it’s your nervous system recalibrating after a long stretch of stress (and that’s what’s recommended by this psychologist 😉). Small steps still count. Rest still counts. And progress doesn’t have to be loud to be real. 💛 If January stretched you, you’re not alone. Save this for the days you feel behind. Follow @drrachelnyc . . . #lifessons #whenlifehappens #whenlifehappensbook